Elizabeth L. Cline spent more than three years probing the underbelly of the American fast-fashion industry. Her discoveries, prompted by an epiphany over the absurdity of $7 shoes from Kmart, led her to write Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion. More than an exposé, it’s also the story of how we went from a society of make-do-and-menders to a nation of addicts caught in an endless vortex of overconsumption, waste production, and post-purchase malaise. We chatted with Cline about how disposable fashion is anathema to our economy, our environment, and our psyches, and the concrete steps anyone can take—yes, even you—to break the buy-and-toss cycle many of us find so impossible to escape.

sounds like a great book! however, i’d like to point out that polyester can feel great against the skin and has wonderful recyclability. yes it’s a petroleum-based product, but arguably no worse for the environment than cotton production. a little more love for polyester, please!

I think it’s interesting that she mentions that it is the consumers job to be more mindful. Usually, people feel that they can’t possibly make a difference because they are just one person. However, if we change our spending habits, companies will take notice. People need to stop buying “disposable clothing” and start spending with more responsible companies.
Personally, I’m a big fan of Reco Jeans. They collect scraps from their jeans factories and reweave them into more fabric to make their jeans. Most companies throw out all their scraps without giving it a second thought. By actually taking the time to do this, Reco Jeans is minimizing water and pesticide use as well as fabric waste.
If you take the money you would have spent on H&M jeans and spend it at a company like Reco Jeans instead, you’ll be doing the environment a huge favor.
You can check them out at recojeans.com

Some of my favorite clothes are things I have worn for years, and were not new when I got them. The “disposable fashion” trend is discouraging, but hardly new. And it has now become widely acceptable – even fashionable, in some cicles, to buy your clothing in thrift shops. Or “vintage clothing boutiques”, if you don’t mind being overcharged. And years ago, when skirt lengths changed, they ALL changed. If your personal style was different, it was difficult to find clothes. Now you can go to most stores and find a variety of lengths and styles.

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